Having recently returned from the Falkland Islands, I am reminded, more than ever, of the crucial role that British overseas territories play in our global security network. These territories are not scattered remnants of the past; they are vital assets that provide the UK with an unmatched global footprint. As the world faces mounting geopolitical tension, their strategic significance has never been more apparent.
Take Gibraltar. It is not merely a rock; it is a gateway to the Mediterranean and a critical outpost for naval power and intelligence operations. With growing instability in north Africa and an emboldened Russia testing Nato’s resolve, Gibraltar is essential to maintaining regional stability. Similarly, Bermuda remains a key transit and intelligence centre as Nato adapts to emerging threats.
Then there is Diego Garcia, a linchpin in the Indian Ocean. This remote but highly valuable atoll has been instrumental in countering threats from Iran, China and beyond. Operated in close partnership with the United States, it enables rapid-response military operations that safeguard the free passage of trade and deter hostile action in the Indo-Pacific. Further south, Ascension Island provides a critical transatlantic link, supporting air surveillance and missile-tracking capabilities vital to UK and allied defence strategies.
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In the South Atlantic, the Falkland Islands are not only a defensive bastion but a key asset in securing crucial shipping routes and Antarctic interests. Nearby, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands provide the UK with influence over an increasingly contested polar region.
The importance of the Caribbean territories is equally undeniable. The British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, Montserrat and Anguilla all play roles in countering transnational crime, from drug trafficking to cyber threats. These territories also provide a vital platform for humanitarian relief efforts in a region frequently battered by natural disasters.
Even our most remote territories, such as Pitcairn, St Helena and Tristan da Cunha, extend Britain’s jurisdiction over vast oceanic expanses, ensuring maritime security and environmental stewardship at a time when global competition over resources is intensifying.
Britain can no longer afford to treat its overseas territories as mere footnotes in its defence strategy. They extend our influence across the globe and provide the infrastructure we need to respond swiftly to emerging threats. If we fail to invest in their defence and development, we risk surrendering strategic ground to our adversaries.
Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee is an unaffiliated peer
